Metrobank Honors 10 Outstanding Policemen in Service for 2007

July 12, 2007

The country's top policemen were recognized for their career achievements and service to the community with the culmination of the 2007 Metrobank Foundation Search for the Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) at an awards ceremony in Malacañan Palace on July 12. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, together with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno, PNP Chief Oscar Calderon, former Ambassador Albert del Rosario, Rotary Club of New Manila East (RCNME) President Nestor Borromeo, Metrobank Foundation board of advisers chairman Placido Mapa, Jr.,and Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña, conferred the award to this year's winners. Each awardee received a trophy and a P200,000 cash prize from Metrobank Foundation and PSBank.

The 2007 COPS awardees are: (Commissioned officers) P/Supt. Joseph Adnol, P/Supt. Gilberto Cruz; P/CInsp. Emma Galero; P/Supt. Wilson Joseph Lopez; (Non-commissioned officers) SPO1 Pablo Selloriquez, Jr; SPO2 Geroilan Mudanza; SPO2 Vladimir Tugonon; PO3 Efren Salazar, Jr.; PO2 Girlie Gay Sañado; and PO3 Rodelio Garcia.

COPS winners are considered the police force's cream of the crop, having been chosen after a stringent selection process that includes documentation of achievements, background check, and panel interview with a distinguished Board of Judges representing various sectors of society. This year's panel, led by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) secretary Arturo Brion, noted the sincerity and steadfastness displayed by the winners in the accomplishment of their duties.

The Search for the Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) recognizes the shared responsibility between the police force and the community in the prevention and resolution of crime. This annual nationwide search honors four Commissioned Officers and six Non-Commissioned Officers who have demonstrated integrity, courage and professionalism on duty. COPS was established in 1999 by the Rotary Club of New Manila East and Metrobank Foundation, and is now co-presented with PSBank and implemented in close coordination with the Philippine National Police.

The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibly arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies. Over the last 28 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and College Scholarship Program. The Foundation also has a grants program that assists NGOs and government in the fields of education, healthcare, and the arts. Metrobank Foundation celebrates Filipino excellence and presents wellsprings of hope in the future of our nation.

ABOUT THE WINNERS

	P/Supt. Joseph C. Adnol Chief, Police Regional Office Cordillera Community Relations Division
	•	Established two police precincts and initiated the construction of a police outpost in Bugayan, La Trinidad, Benguet.
	•	Initiated the IMPLAN series of community programs that tackle social issues such as crime prevention, the rights and welfare of women, children and the family, and environmental awareness.
	•	Strengthened police and community relations with the establishment of regular media initiatives such as the Kapihan-PRO Cordillera press forum and Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee Hour radio and TV shows.
	•	Conducted anti-drug operations which led to the discovery of P2M worth of marijuana bricks in Longlong, Puguis, La Trinidad.
	•	Heads the Cordillera Community Relations Division, which ranked number one in the country for 4 quarters in 2005-2006 and consistently remains in the top five.

	P/Supt. Gilberto Cruz Acting Chief of Police Makati
	•	Led Task Force Habagat in various operations, among them: the arrest of five active PNP members for kidnapping; the arrest of an armed robbery gang that operated in Quezon City and other NCR cities; surveillance and arrest of Rolito Go.
	•	Conducted a discreet surveillance operation that led to the identification of members of the international drug ring called the Bamboo Gang, neutralization of five alleged members of the 14K International Drug Ring or Hong Kong Triad, and recovery of shabu and various weapons.
	•	Organized and trained his men in combat eventualities - such as armed robbery, bomb threats, etc. - which increases visibility in the areas of San Juan, Cainta and Makati City.
	•	Established the "Santa Cop" outreach program, an annual Christmas gift-giving activity for less privileged children.
	•	Other community relations initiatives include: production of a DVD entitled "Kriminal Modus Operandi Exposed"; establishment of website, http://www.makatipnp.com

	P/CInsp. Emma Galero Chief SOCO - PNP Crime Lab Southern Police District
	•	Recognized as one of the "Ten Outstanding Women in the Philippines" in the field of criminalistics; Best SOCO Team Leader from 2000-2003.
	•	Led the SOCO Team in the extensive processing and documentation of evidence in 22 sensational cases, among them: NAIA Terminal 2 Control Tower takeover, kidnap and rape case of Coca Coal executive Betty Chua Sy, 2005 Camp Bagong Diwa prison siege, and 2007 Taguig Court hostage drama.
	•	Resolved the case of Jonathan Hernandez, one of the victims of the 2004 series of gay killings.
	•	Found drug storage in Parañaque City that led to the arrest of five foreign nationals and the recovery of 1,018 kg of ephedrine and 350.38 kg of shabu on July 28, 2003.
	•	Initiated the Seminar Workshop on Crime Scene First Responders Duties and Responsibilities.

	P/Supt. Wilson Joseph Lopez Chief of Police Laoag
	•	Led the arrest of top-ranked most wanted criminals in La Union and Region 1, such as Marcelino Vinluan, Fernando Pable Catbagan, Julius Caesar Collado.
	•	Area of responsibility declared drug-free and named best performing area in Region 1.
	•	Inatitutionalized the Community Oriented Policing System aimed to develop locally based policing for community safety.
	•	Strengthened barangay and police relations by establishing an adopt-a-barangay program and organizing and training Barangay Public Safety Officers.
	•	Other community initiatives include: Crime Monitoring Center, I-Text si Chief, Barangay at Pulisya Laban sa Krimen and Junior Police Program.

	PO3 Rodelio Garcia Police Community Relations PNCO Taytay
	•	Involved in the conduct of follow-up operations against the Budol-Budol Gang, a bigtime swindling group, which resulted in the arrest of its members.
	•	Instrumental in the campaign against violations of the Dangerous Drug Act, which resulted in the arrest of several notorious drug pushers and users.
	•	Conducted rescue and relief operations to victims of Typhoon Milenyo in Brgy. Sta. Ana, Taytay, Rizal.
	•	Conducted bomb threat, fire and earthquake drills to elementary, high school and college students.
	•	Initiated different anti-crime organizational activities in different schools and churches as well as skills and livelihood development programs for the community.

	SPO2 Geroilan Mudanza Provincial Intelligence Team Leader Camp Vicente Lim
	•	Personally initiated the Cattle Dispersal Project, a poverty alleviation effort benefiting a dozen poor families in six barangays of Bansud and Gloria in Oriental Mindoro.
	•	Launched a resettlement area for 100 Aeta people in Bansud, Oriental MIndoro.
	•	Provided assistance to fisher folk, rebel returnees and landless farmers for various community-related concerns in Oriental MIndoro.
	•	Helped establish the Bayanihang Pedersayon ng Silangang MIndoro as grassroots-based support to police functions.
	•	Led the arrest of top ranked most wanted criminals by the DILG, such as Marlon Cortes de Belen, Ricarte Madali, Carlito Aguilar and Ernesto Mendoza.

	PO3 Efren Salazar, Jr. Intelligence and Drug Enforcement Unit PNCO Station 6, General Santos City
	•	Conducted intelligence, surveillance and entrapment operations that led to the capture of most wanted criminals and drug pushers in General Santos City.
	•	Initiated a house-to-house anti-drug awareness campaign that led to the voluntary surrender of 203 drug pushers and/or users.
	•	Initiated and continues to implement Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) lessons to elementary school students to improve the information network of the police.
	•	Assists in various community programs such as medical and dental missions.
	•	Awards received include: 2006 Outstanding Criminologist in Mindanao, 2005 Best Junior Police Non-Commissioned Officer

	PO3 Girlie Gay Sañado Women and Children's Desk Investigator Station 6, General Santos City
	•	Instrumental in the implementation of the DARE program for eight years, educating approximately 2,000 schoolchildren from various levels.
	•	Successfully filed Anti-VACS and Anti-Trafficking cases which resulted in the arrest of sexual offenders, physical abusers and illegal recruiters.
	•	Conducts seminars on women's and children's rights and other related issues.
	•	Garnered commendations and awards for her exemplary ability in handling gender-based crimes, and earned a reputation for being a protector of the rights and dignity of women, children, and children in conflict with the law (CICL).
	•	Topped her 1st mandatory Junior Leadership course at RTS XI and was awarded Most Outstanding Student.

	SPO1 Pablo Selloriquez, Jr. Police Community Precinct Commander Precinct 2, San Juan
	•	Awards include: 2005 Senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Best of the Best PNCO-NCR in 2005, Most Outstanding Policeman of San Juan
	•	Conducted research on drug operations and legal experiences which led to the production of book report entitled "Drug Abuse as a Community-Wide Concern: A Barangay-Level Overview."
	•	Organized a youth volunteer and action group in Brgy. San Perfecto, San Juan.
	•	Arrested a number of most wanted criminals in San Juan, Manila, including Johnny Morales - NO. 1 most wanted.
	•	Arrested several drug syndicates/groups in San Juan, Manila.

	SPO2 Vladimir Tugonon Chief Investigator Station 6, General Santos City
	•	Organized United People Against Crime as police force multipliers to prevent public transport drivers from engaging in illegal activities.
	•	Initiated various community projects such as medical missions, solid waste management program, declogging of canals and improvement of barangay facilities.
	•	Responsible for the arrest of members of the notorious "Batang Tun-ogs" group wanted for murder.
	•	Organized out-of-school youth and conducted drug awareness counseling to streetchildren.
	•	Youngest member and Chairman of the Board of Samahan ng Lupong Tagapamayapa.

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